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Saturday, May 7, 2016

Reflection Pond by Kacey VanderKarr

About Kacey VanderKarr

KACEY VANDERKARR has a penchant for fantasy and frequently listens to the voices in her head--most of whom are teenagers. Her favorite place to write is an old salon chair in her kitchen, with coffee in one hand and adoring cats sprawled across her arms. She prefers her music loud and her skeptics quiet. When she's not writing, Kacey coaches winterguard, works as a sonographer, and hangs out with other weirdos like her at the Flint Area Writer's club. In addition to her novels, The Reflection Pond Series, Antithesis, and The Stone Series, Kacey's short fiction is featured in Sucker Literary Vol III, Ember: A Journal of Luminous Things, and Out of the Green: Tales from Fairyland.

I’m an eternally young optimist. (Only half of that statement is true. So I either have a sunny outlook on life, or I’m a vampire. You decide.) I love coffee, books, cats, trees, and music, not necessarily in that order. I’m not afraid to camp in a tent. I was once in flash flood where my car filled with water with me inside of it. I’m a firm believer in reaching your goals and helping others do the same. If I believe in you, I will fight for you.

2. Of course I have visited your website. It seems like you have a very busy life.

Can you describe a typical day for you?

I suppose a typical day depends on the time of year. Winters tend to be much busier for me than summers. I have a full time job as a sonographer (that’s someone who does ultrasounds, and not just the baby kind), so I’m up early, 5:30 or 6:00am. Once I drive the kiddo to school, I’m at work until 4:30pm. Evenings are divided between appointments, house cleaning, helping with homework, the occasional winterguard rehearsal, writer’s group, and catching up on Vampire Diaries.

I think you’re right. I’m busy. People often ask me when I have time to write. The answer is, I don’t know. Sometimes I go on retreat. That helps. My best work is done when I’m not at home where there are too many other obligations to distract me from what I really should be doing.

3. You like your music loud. Which song do you love to listen to with the volume all out?

I’ve been on a huge Troye Sivan kick lately. “Youth” is my jam. But I don’t discriminate against music. Much like art, music should be enjoyed as a maximum experience, no matter what it is. Side note: Troye is famous essentially because of his love of reading. How cool is that? Not to mention he’s insanely talented.

4. As a little kid what did you daydream about?

Being a lawyer. No, seriously. I was apparently very adept at arguing. It’s a skill I’ve honed over the years. Just ask my husband.

5. Have you always wanted to become a writer?

I’ve always enjoyed writing. It came along with enjoying school. I’m a perpetual learner. Ten years ago, however, I had no idea there was a writer hibernating inside of me. Once she was unleashed, she hasn’t stopped. Writing feels like something I was always meant to do, even if I didn’t know it.

6. You have attended a writing workshop recently. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

PERSEVERE. It will not be easy. If you want it, don’t give up, no matter what anyone tells you. Writing is just like any other skill, it takes lots and lots of practice, and you’ll write a lot of crap before you write something worth reading. And you’ll face a lot of rejection. It’s okay. Really. It’ll be okay.

7. Which book has been the topic of discussion lately when you are hanging out at the Flint Area Writer’s club?

Recently a lot of us read Wired for Story by Lisa Cron. Personally, I thought it helped me hone my skills, while others in the group had a love/hate relationship with it (because theme is a writer’s nemesis). If you’re looking for something to help you focus your work, this is the writing book for you!

Another exciting book is The Black Light by Martha J. Allard, which was picked up by Automatism Press. Mart is a member of the Flint Area Writers and one of my biggest writing inspirations. Her novel is gorgeous, heart breaking, and full of rock and roll.

8. What is your favorite quote?

It comes from a poem by Mary Oliver, “The Summer Day.” “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

If you haven’t read this poem, you should. It’s simply gorgeous.

9. If you could ask us to do just one thing today what would that be?

Review books. If you read a book, leave a review. (It’d be awesome if you review MY books, of course, but any books will do.)

10. What can we expect from you in the future?

More writing, more books, more short fiction. I have a lot of ideas, and as long as I’m able, I’ll continue to write them down.

Callie didn't have an easy childhood. Growing up in foster homes has been hard on her. While she is running away from a boy she will never love she falls into a pond. Instead of coming back up she falls down through the bottom and ends up in Eirensae.

Callie finds out she is a Fae and that she has returned to her actual home and family. Every Fae has special abilities. When Callie starts to explore what her ability is it turns out she is very strong and has several. This is very rare and she might be the most powerful Fae ever.

Rowan has scars of his own. He has lived a rough life before returning to Eirensae. Even though it never felt like home since he met Callie he truly wants to stay for the first time. Every Fae has to find his or her amulet within two years. When you find your amulet and you claim it as your own you are bound to Eirensae. Rowan has only two months left before he is tripped of his magic and will be banned for the Fae world. He has never been able to find his amulet. Rowan is convinced his amulet is not in Eirensae because of the fact that he is determined to live a life elsewhere.

When the rulers of different worlds want Callie for themselves things start to get out of control. Callie is careful and trains very hard to be ready for whatever fate awaits her. Even though she has some troubles adjusting to her new life she doesn't want to be an easy target.

I loved the story of Callie and Rowan. Both of them have their own scars and issues to work through and slowly they grow towards each other. Rowan promised Callie's sister that he would always be by Callie's side to protect and help her. He feels a great responsibily towards her. Will they end up standing strong on the same side or will fate push them apart?

Reflection Pond is a great read with lots of twists and turns. Kacey Vanderkarr also uses the language of the Fae every now and then this gave a great extra layer to the story. I can't wait to find out how the story continues.